Crossroads E-Newsletter:09/07/06

September 7, 2006

NEW PRELACY OFFICE IN YEREVAN TO BE NAMED
IN HONOR OF ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
The Eastern Prelacy’s charitable work in Armenia began immediately after the December 1988 earthquake in northern Armenia, but it was in 1993 that an office was officially opened in Yerevan, under the supervision of the then Prelate, the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian. It was Mesrob Srpazan who named the agency “The St. Nerses the Great Charitable and Social Organization,” in honor of Catholicos Nerses (c. 326-373) who is remembered for the great charitable work he accomplished, building schools, hospitals and other institutions that served the needs of the people.

Since its establishment thirteen years ago, the St. Nerses Charitable Organization has been operating from a small two-room office. Two years ago an apartment on Koryun Street was purchased and has been undergoing renovations for use as an office. The official opening of this new office will take place on Tuesday evening, September 19, and the office will be named “The Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian Center.” The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, will preside over the opening and naming ceremonies, which is expected to be attended by a number of dignitaries and guests.

“The Executive Council and I deemed it appropriate to name the office in honor of Mesrob Srpazan, because of the extraordinary service he performed in Armenia. He created the St. Nerses Charitable Organization and nurtured it from its earliest days paving the way to the current status of this charitable organization, which provides assistance to hundreds of individuals and institutions in Armenia and Artsakh. I hope this will be another link in remembering the splendid legacy he left,” said Archbishop Oshagan.

VICAR GENERAL RETURNS TO NEW YORK
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General, returned to New York last week after more than two weeks in Armenia where he directed the program of summer religious studies for some of the children sponsored by the Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship Program, which took place at the summer camp in Vanadzor in northern Armenia.

PRELATE AT THE AYF OLYMPICS
As he does every Labor Day weekend, Archbishop Oshagan opened the 73rd annual AYF Olympic games, which this year took place in Milwaukee.

In his opening message and prayer, His Eminence praised the Armenian Youth Federation for its years

of service to the youth,and said, “…the AYF has taught you to participate and not remain in the margins of Armenian American life. May you always be faithful to these traditions in the footsteps of our forefathers, looking ahead to the future.”

To read the entire message click here

EPISCOPAL CONSECRATION OF BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN
WILL BE CELEBRATED ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 1
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the celebration in honor of the recent Episcopal consecration of Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian. A community-wide banquet will take place on Sunday, October 1, 3 pm at the Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, New York. In the morning, Bishop Anoushavan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, a parish he served for more than a decade. Bishop Anoushavan’s elevation and consecration took place on June 4, in ceremonies officiated by Catholicos Aram I in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Antelias, Lebanon.

For more information about the October 1st event click here

V. REV. FR. DANIEL GARABEDIAN SAYS FAREWELL AND
PREPARES FOR NEW MINISTRY IN MIDWEST
Yesterday, September 6, was V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian’s final day at the Prelacy offices in New York City, where he has been serving in the religious education department for the past year. The Prelate, Vicar, and staff members enjoyed a luncheon together with expressions of good wishes and prayers for Fr. Daniel who will begin his ministry to St. Hagop Church in Racine, Wisconsin and St. Paul Church in Waukegan, Illinois.

Besides working in the Christian education department, Fr. Daniel served as interim priest at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, as well as visiting priest to other parishes. For several weeks during the summer Hayr Sourp was at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, Massachusetts, where he assisted in the educational program for campers, especially in religious education.

Godspeed, Hayr Sourp.

VICAR WILL TRAVEL TO RACINE THIS WEEKEND
Bishop Anoushavan, the Vicar General, will travel to Racine, Wisconsin, this weekend where he will introduce V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian to the congregation of St. Hagop Church. Joining the Vicar will be the chairman of the Prelacy’s Executive Council, Jack Mardoian. Hayr Daniel will begin his service as pastor of St. Hagop Church and St. Paul Church in Waukegan, Illinois. Hayr Daniel will officiate over the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at St. Hagop Church.

AREC DIRECTOR WILL LEAD RETREAT
Deacon Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education Council, will lead a retreat for the Sunday School teachers and staff of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 22-23, 2006. The theme of the retreat is “Nurturing Faith.”

NEW SERIES OF BIBLE STUDY AT PRELACY
An eight-session course on the “Letter to the Hebrews” will start on Monday, October 2, 2006, at the Prelacy from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm, and will continue to be held on the first and third Mondays of the month. Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the course will be conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of AREC.

The Letter to the Hebrews is a profound written homily, a “word of exhortation” (Hebrews 13:22). One of the main themes of the Letter is that the old covenant has been superseded through the sacrificial death of Christ. And for that reason, studying the Letter to the Hebrews will give the participants a solid biblical understanding of the “Soorp Badarak” (Holy Sacrifice) that we celebrate on Sundays.

Registration is required (suggested donation: $25). For registration and information, please call 212-689-7810 or e mail at arec@armenianprelacy.org.

QUARTER OF MILLION IS ALLOCATED TO SCHOOLS IN LEBANON
FROM KHATCHIG BABIKIAN FUND
The recently established “Khachig Babikian Fund,” of the Catholicosate of Cilicia will donate $250,000 to the Armenian national schools in Lebanon.

In making the announcement, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, said: “As we had previously announced, the yearly income of this fund will be used for educational, cultural, social and publishing projects. However, considering the hardships created in Lebanon as a consequence of the recent war, we decided to grant the largest part of the fund’s allocation this year to our schools. We believe this is a wise decision considering the importance of the Armenian school in the life of the community.”

We remind readers that the Prelacy continues to accept donations for Lebanese aid. Checks payable to Armenian Prelacy can be mailed to 138 E. 39th Street, New York, New York 10016.

FIRST MEETING OF NEW WCC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
The first meeting of the new WCC Central Committee began last week, on August 30 in Geneva and is scheduled to end today. Attending on behalf of the Armenian Church are: Bishop Nareg Alemezian and Dr. Nora Bairakdarian, representing the Catholicosate of Cilicia, and Bishop Vicken Aikazian and Paula Devedjian on behalf of the Catholicosate of All Armenians.

CATHOLICOS ARAM I RECEIVES U.S. AMBASSADOR
The Ambassador of the United States to Lebanon, Jeffrey Feltman, visited His Holiness Aram I at the Catholicos’s summer residence in Bikfaya, Lebanon, on August 30. The Ambassador and His Holiness discussed the post-war efforts of the various Lebanese communities and the peace process.

WHITINSVILLE PARISH FEATURED
The local newspaper, Blackstone Tribune, printed an extensive feature article on the Blessing of the Grapes ceremony and picnic of Sts. Aasvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, with many photographs, including a beautiful color photo on page one showing the blessing of grapes ceremony led by Archbishop Oshagan, assisted by the parish’s priest, Rev. Fr. Aram Stepanian, and clergy from area Prelacy churches including Rev. Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian (Providence), Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian (Watertown), Rev. Fr. Khachadour Boghossian (Worcester), Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian (North Andover). The article’s focus was on the many young people who attended and participated in the services and the picnic that followed.

SAVE THE DATE: CHILDREN’S CONCERT ON NOVEMBER 18
With the extraordinary success of the Prelacy’s Children’s Concert two years ago, another concert for children will take place on Saturday afternoon, November 18, at Florence Gould Hall, at the Alliance Francaise in New York City, featuring the talented and popular TALINE AND FRIENDS, from California.

SPEAKING OF CONCERTS….
Speaking of concerts, a number of events are scheduled in the coming days in New York featuring Armenian artists.

Sunday, September 17, a concert in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia, will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at 7 pm. “Now and Then: Music in Armenia after Khatchaturian,” will feature a number of well known musicians including Sahan Arzruni, Kim Kashkashian, Andre Emelianoff, Shushi Dance Ensemble, and others, performing the works of composers after Khatchaturian. Tickets ($25 each) available through the Prelacy are sold out, but you can contact the box office at 212-501-3330.

Datevik Hovanessian and her trio are taking part in the “2nd Annual Diet Coke Women in Jazz Festival,” at Jazz at Lincoln Center, on Monday, September 18, 7:30 pm, at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at the Time Warner Center in New York, Broadway at 60th Street. For information and reservations go to www.jalc.org, or 212-258-9595.

On Monday, September 18, and Tuesday, September 19, the internationally known and loved Charles Aznavour will perform at Radio City Music Hall, 8 pm, as part of his worldwide “Farewell Tour.” Aznavour’s shows are always first-rate. If you have never seen him perform in person, do it now. Tickets, 212-307-7171.

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Tomorrow, Friday, September 8, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to tradition, Joachim and Anna were faithful and pious, waiting for the promised messiah. They were elderly and childless. They prayed to God for a child and were blessed with a child who would become the Mother of the Messiah.

THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA
On Saturday, September 9, the Armenian Church celebrates the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea in Asia Minor in the year 325 and the 318 Church Fathers who attended. The Council was called by Emperor Constantine. The Armenian Church participated in this Council and contributed toward the victory of Orthodoxy. The Council is mentioned in the historical writings of Moses of Khoren and Agathangelos. In later centuries and in all their doctrinal writings, the Fathers of the Armenian Church referred to the Council of Nicaea with veneration and the Nicene Creed was incorporated into the Armenian Liturgy.

FAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
This Sunday, September 10, begins the Fast (Barekentan) leading to the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khachveratz), which is a week from Sunday, September 17. Because this is a Great or Tabernacle Feast, it is preceded by a week (Monday to Friday) of fasting.

FIVE YEARS AGO…
Monday, September 11, is the fifth anniversary of the attacks in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Five years later the memories are of lives lost and lives changed. Also of lives spared.

No matter what, those of us who did not lose a loved one on that day can never imagine the pain of those who did. We experienced a taste of that impending terror of loss on that day. Our niece and a cousin worked at the World Trade Center in New York and when we watched the towers come down we feared the worst. The hours of uncertainty, with no means of communication, heightened our fears, but indicative of human behavior, we hoped and prayed for salvation. When we finally received word that both had exited Tower Two moments before it collapsed and were safe, our happiness was muted by the knowledge that thousands of people did not escape and died that day in a death that can only be described as senseless and evil. Five years later the same questions abound as we contemplate a world vastly different than before 9/11.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September 10—Sts. Vartanantz Sunday School, Ridgefield, New Jersey, luncheon and registration for the 2006-2007 school year.

September 10—Annual picnic of St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.

September 10—Annual picnic of St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack Valley, at the American Legion grounds in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

September 10—St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sunday School classes resume.

September 15—2nd Annual Golf Outing of All Saints Church, at Hilldale Golf Club, Hoffman Estates, Illinois. For reservations and/or information, 847-858-7685.

September 17—Sunday School registration and fellowship, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, following the Divine Liturgy.

September 17—First Annual Lobster Fest, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 215-482-9200.

September 17—Annual Picnic, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, on the church grounds, following church services and the blessing of Basil. For information: 718-224-2275.

September 18—11th Annual ACEC/School golf outing at Stow Acres Country Club, Stow, Massachusetts. For information, 781-326-5764.

September 22—Family Night at St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, 6 pm at Jaffarian Hall.

September 22-23—Retreat, “Nurturing Faith,” for Sunday School teachers and staff of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

September 25—Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, 3rd Annual Golf Outing and Award Dinner at Raceway Golf Course, Thompson, Connecticut. Registration 7:30 a.m. For information 508-872-9629 or church office 508-852-2414.

September 25—St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Third Annual Golf Outing. For information, 215-482-9200.

September 28—4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950.

October 1—Banquet honoring Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian on the occasion of his recent elevation, at Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows, New York, 3 pm. Details will follow.

October 2—New eight-session Bible study on the “Letter to the Hebrews” begins at the Prelacy, 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm, first and third Mondays of the month, sponsored by AREC. Conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian. For information: 212-689-7810.

October 8—81st anniversary celebration of St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.

October 19-22—Annual bazaar, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland.

October 22—Holy Cross Church, Troy, NY, anniversary celebration.

November 3-4— Ladies Guild Food Festival, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

November 3, 4, 5—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.

November 5—Annual bazaar, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.

November 5—36th Anniversary Luncheon and program, St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts.

November 10-12—Mini Datev program for teens, ages 13 to 18. At Colombiere Retreat Conference Center in Clarkston, Michigan.

November 11—42nd Anniversary of Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, in the church hall.

November 11-12—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual “Armenian Fest” at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island.

November 17 & 18—Annual Bazaar, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts.

November 18—Children’s Concert, GIVING THANKS, sponsored by the Eastern Prelacy at Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City, featuring TALINE AND FRIENDS. Details will follow.

November 26—St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, First Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.

December 9—Men’s Club Steak Dinner, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

December 24—Sunday School Christmas Pageant, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please credit Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to: info@armenianprelacy.org

If you wish to receive future issues of the Crossroads E-Newsletter in your E-mail Inbox, send an e-mail message with your name and your full e-mail address to email@armenianprelacy.org and write "subscribe" in the subject line.

September 7, 2006
NEW PRELACY OFFICE IN YEREVAN TO BE NAMED IN HONOR OF ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN The Eastern Prelacy’s charitable work in Armenia began immediately after the December 1988 earthquake in northern Armenia, but it was in 1993 that an office was officially opened in Yerevan, under the supervision of the then Prelate, the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian. It was Mesrob Srpazan who named the agency “The St. Nerses the Great Charitable and Social Organization,” in honor of Catholicos Nerses (c. 326-373) who is remembered for the great charitable work he accomplished, building schools, hospitals and other institutions that served the needs of the people. Since its establishment thirteen years ago, the St. Nerses Charitable Organization has been operating from a small two-room office. Two years ago an apartment on Koryun Street was purchased and has been undergoing renovations for use as an office. The official opening of this new office will take place on Tuesday evening, September 19, and the office will be named “The Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian Center.” The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, will preside over the opening and naming ceremonies, which is expected to be attended by a number of dignitaries and guests. “The Executive Council and I deemed it appropriate to name the office in honor of Mesrob Srpazan, because of the extraordinary service he performed in Armenia. He created the St. Nerses Charitable Organization and nurtured it from its earliest days paving the way to the current status of this charitable organization, which provides assistance to hundreds of individuals and institutions in Armenia and Artsakh. I hope this will be another link in remembering the splendid legacy he left,” said Archbishop Oshagan.
	VICAR GENERAL RETURNS TO NEW YORK Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General, returned to New York last week after more than two weeks in Armenia where he directed the program of summer religious studies for some of the children sponsored by the Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship Program, which took place at the summer camp in Vanadzor in northern Armenia. PRELATE AT THE AYF OLYMPICS As he does every Labor Day weekend, Archbishop Oshagan opened the 73rd annual AYF Olympic games, which this year took place in Milwaukee. In his opening message and prayer, His Eminence praised the Armenian Youth Federation for its years
of service to the youth,and said, “…the AYF has taught you to participate and not remain in the margins of Armenian American life. May you always be faithful to these traditions in the footsteps of our forefathers, looking ahead to the future.” To read the entire message click here EPISCOPAL CONSECRATION OF BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN WILL BE CELEBRATED ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 1 Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the celebration in honor of the recent Episcopal consecration of Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian. A community-wide banquet will take place on Sunday, October 1, 3 pm at the Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, New York. In the morning, Bishop Anoushavan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, a parish he served for more than a decade. Bishop Anoushavan’s elevation and consecration took place on June 4, in ceremonies officiated by Catholicos Aram I in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Antelias, Lebanon. For more information about the October 1st event click here
	V. REV. FR. DANIEL GARABEDIAN SAYS FAREWELL AND PREPARES FOR NEW MINISTRY IN MIDWEST Yesterday, September 6, was V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian’s final day at the Prelacy offices in New York City, where he has been serving in the religious education department for the past year. The Prelate, Vicar, and staff members enjoyed a luncheon together with expressions of good wishes and prayers for Fr. Daniel who will begin his ministry to St. Hagop Church in Racine, Wisconsin and St. Paul Church in Waukegan, Illinois.
Besides working in the Christian education department, Fr. Daniel served as interim priest at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, as well as visiting priest to other parishes. For several weeks during the summer Hayr Sourp was at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, Massachusetts, where he assisted in the educational program for campers, especially in religious education. Godspeed, Hayr Sourp. VICAR WILL TRAVEL TO RACINE THIS WEEKEND Bishop Anoushavan, the Vicar General, will travel to Racine, Wisconsin, this weekend where he will introduce V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian to the congregation of St. Hagop Church. Joining the Vicar will be the chairman of the Prelacy’s Executive Council, Jack Mardoian. Hayr Daniel will begin his service as pastor of St. Hagop Church and St. Paul Church in Waukegan, Illinois. Hayr Daniel will officiate over the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at St. Hagop Church. AREC DIRECTOR WILL LEAD RETREAT Deacon Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education Council, will lead a retreat for the Sunday School teachers and staff of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 22-23, 2006. The theme of the retreat is “Nurturing Faith.” NEW SERIES OF BIBLE STUDY AT PRELACY An eight-session course on the “Letter to the Hebrews” will start on Monday, October 2, 2006, at the Prelacy from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm, and will continue to be held on the first and third Mondays of the month. Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the course will be conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of AREC. The Letter to the Hebrews is a profound written homily, a “word of exhortation” (Hebrews 13:22). One of the main themes of the Letter is that the old covenant has been superseded through the sacrificial death of Christ. And for that reason, studying the Letter to the Hebrews will give the participants a solid biblical understanding of the “Soorp Badarak” (Holy Sacrifice) that we celebrate on Sundays. Registration is required (suggested donation: $25). For registration and information, please call 212-689-7810 or e mail at arec@armenianprelacy.org. QUARTER OF MILLION IS ALLOCATED TO SCHOOLS IN LEBANON FROM KHATCHIG BABIKIAN FUND The recently established “Khachig Babikian Fund,” of the Catholicosate of Cilicia will donate $250,000 to the Armenian national schools in Lebanon. In making the announcement, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, said: “As we had previously announced, the yearly income of this fund will be used for educational, cultural, social and publishing projects. However, considering the hardships created in Lebanon as a consequence of the recent war, we decided to grant the largest part of the fund’s allocation this year to our schools. We believe this is a wise decision considering the importance of the Armenian school in the life of the community.” We remind readers that the Prelacy continues to accept donations for Lebanese aid. Checks payable to Armenian Prelacy can be mailed to 138 E. 39th Street, New York, New York 10016. FIRST MEETING OF NEW WCC CENTRAL COMMITTEE The first meeting of the new WCC Central Committee began last week, on August 30 in Geneva and is scheduled to end today. Attending on behalf of the Armenian Church are: Bishop Nareg Alemezian and Dr. Nora Bairakdarian, representing the Catholicosate of Cilicia, and Bishop Vicken Aikazian and Paula Devedjian on behalf of the Catholicosate of All Armenians. CATHOLICOS ARAM I RECEIVES U.S. AMBASSADOR The Ambassador of the United States to Lebanon, Jeffrey Feltman, visited His Holiness Aram I at the Catholicos’s summer residence in Bikfaya, Lebanon, on August 30. The Ambassador and His Holiness discussed the post-war efforts of the various Lebanese communities and the peace process. WHITINSVILLE PARISH FEATURED The local newspaper, Blackstone Tribune, printed an extensive feature article on the Blessing of the Grapes ceremony and picnic of Sts. Aasvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, with many photographs, including a beautiful color photo on page one showing the blessing of grapes ceremony led by Archbishop Oshagan, assisted by the parish’s priest, Rev. Fr. Aram Stepanian, and clergy from area Prelacy churches including Rev. Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian (Providence), Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian (Watertown), Rev. Fr. Khachadour Boghossian (Worcester), Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian (North Andover). The article’s focus was on the many young people who attended and participated in the services and the picnic that followed. SAVE THE DATE: CHILDREN’S CONCERT ON NOVEMBER 18 With the extraordinary success of the Prelacy’s Children’s Concert two years ago, another concert for children will take place on Saturday afternoon, November 18, at Florence Gould Hall, at the Alliance Francaise in New York City, featuring the talented and popular TALINE AND FRIENDS, from California. SPEAKING OF CONCERTS…. Speaking of concerts, a number of events are scheduled in the coming days in New York featuring Armenian artists. Sunday, September 17, a concert in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia, will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at 7 pm. “Now and Then: Music in Armenia after Khatchaturian,” will feature a number of well known musicians including Sahan Arzruni, Kim Kashkashian, Andre Emelianoff, Shushi Dance Ensemble, and others, performing the works of composers after Khatchaturian. Tickets ($25 each) available through the Prelacy are sold out, but you can contact the box office at 212-501-3330. Datevik Hovanessian and her trio are taking part in the “2nd Annual Diet Coke Women in Jazz Festival,” at Jazz at Lincoln Center, on Monday, September 18, 7:30 pm, at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at the Time Warner Center in New York, Broadway at 60th Street. For information and reservations go to www.jalc.org, or 212-258-9595. On Monday, September 18, and Tuesday, September 19, the internationally known and loved Charles Aznavour will perform at Radio City Music Hall, 8 pm, as part of his worldwide “Farewell Tour.” Aznavour’s shows are always first-rate. If you have never seen him perform in person, do it now. Tickets, 212-307-7171. FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Tomorrow, Friday, September 8, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to tradition, Joachim and Anna were faithful and pious, waiting for the promised messiah. They were elderly and childless. They prayed to God for a child and were blessed with a child who would become the Mother of the Messiah. THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA On Saturday, September 9, the Armenian Church celebrates the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea in Asia Minor in the year 325 and the 318 Church Fathers who attended. The Council was called by Emperor Constantine. The Armenian Church participated in this Council and contributed toward the victory of Orthodoxy. The Council is mentioned in the historical writings of Moses of Khoren and Agathangelos. In later centuries and in all their doctrinal writings, the Fathers of the Armenian Church referred to the Council of Nicaea with veneration and the Nicene Creed was incorporated into the Armenian Liturgy. FAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS This Sunday, September 10, begins the Fast (Barekentan) leading to the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khachveratz), which is a week from Sunday, September 17. Because this is a Great or Tabernacle Feast, it is preceded by a week (Monday to Friday) of fasting. FIVE YEARS AGO… Monday, September 11, is the fifth anniversary of the attacks in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Five years later the memories are of lives lost and lives changed. Also of lives spared. No matter what, those of us who did not lose a loved one on that day can never imagine the pain of those who did. We experienced a taste of that impending terror of loss on that day. Our niece and a cousin worked at the World Trade Center in New York and when we watched the towers come down we feared the worst. The hours of uncertainty, with no means of communication, heightened our fears, but indicative of human behavior, we hoped and prayed for salvation. When we finally received word that both had exited Tower Two moments before it collapsed and were safe, our happiness was muted by the knowledge that thousands of people did not escape and died that day in a death that can only be described as senseless and evil. Five years later the same questions abound as we contemplate a world vastly different than before 9/11.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS September 10—Sts. Vartanantz Sunday School, Ridgefield, New Jersey, luncheon and registration for the 2006-2007 school year. September 10—Annual picnic of St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut. September 10—Annual picnic of St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack Valley, at the American Legion grounds in Haverhill, Massachusetts. September 10—St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sunday School classes resume. September 15—2nd Annual Golf Outing of All Saints Church, at Hilldale Golf Club, Hoffman Estates, Illinois. For reservations and/or information, 847-858-7685. September 17—Sunday School registration and fellowship, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, following the Divine Liturgy. September 17—First Annual Lobster Fest, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 215-482-9200. September 17—Annual Picnic, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, on the church grounds, following church services and the blessing of Basil. For information: 718-224-2275. September 18—11th Annual ACEC/School golf outing at Stow Acres Country Club, Stow, Massachusetts. For information, 781-326-5764. September 22—Family Night at St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, 6 pm at Jaffarian Hall. September 22-23—Retreat, “Nurturing Faith,” for Sunday School teachers and staff of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. September 25—Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, 3rd Annual Golf Outing and Award Dinner at Raceway Golf Course, Thompson, Connecticut. Registration 7:30 a.m. For information 508-872-9629 or church office 508-852-2414. September 25—St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Third Annual Golf Outing. For information, 215-482-9200. September 28—4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950. October 1—Banquet honoring Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian on the occasion of his recent elevation, at Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows, New York, 3 pm. Details will follow. October 2—New eight-session Bible study on the “Letter to the Hebrews” begins at the Prelacy, 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm, first and third Mondays of the month, sponsored by AREC. Conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian. For information: 212-689-7810. October 8—81st anniversary celebration of St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut. October 19-22—Annual bazaar, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland. October 22—Holy Cross Church, Troy, NY, anniversary celebration. November 3-4— Ladies Guild Food Festival, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. November 3, 4, 5—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950. November 5—Annual bazaar, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut. November 5—36th Anniversary Luncheon and program, St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts. November 10-12—Mini Datev program for teens, ages 13 to 18. At Colombiere Retreat Conference Center in Clarkston, Michigan. November 11—42nd Anniversary of Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, in the church hall. November 11-12—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual “Armenian Fest” at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island. November 17 & 18—Annual Bazaar, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. November 18—Children’s Concert, GIVING THANKS, sponsored by the Eastern Prelacy at Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City, featuring TALINE AND FRIENDS. Details will follow. November 26—St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, First Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian. December 9—Men’s Club Steak Dinner, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. December 24—Sunday School Christmas Pageant, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please credit Crossroads as the source. Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to: info@armenianprelacy.org

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